Grand Prize Winner to Receive 6-day Eco Trip in Guatemala

New York, NY – The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 “Picture Sustainability” photo contest. Whether your vision of sustainability features scenic landscapes, flora and fauna or local culture and communities, the Rainforest Alliance invites you to submit photos that promote our mission of conserving the environment and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

Sponsored by Fujifilm, the Rainforest Alliance photo contest seeks to raise awareness about conservation issues while expanding the organization’s collection of photos for use in its publication and on its website, www.rainforest-alliance.org.

“Powerful photography is not only visually impressive, but it can evoke emotional responses and stimulate a call-to-action,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “Winning photos will captivate a wide audience, connecting people to the concept of sustainability and illustrating the importance of the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to conserve the world’s most fragile ecosystems.”

One grand prize winner will receive a six-day, five-night eco-tour for two to Guatemala including airfare, courtesy of Fujifilm and organized by Colorado-based travel company Aventouras. The trip includes stops in the city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, combined with a tour of a nearby volcano and Lake Atitlán, for an opportunity to experience Guatemala’s cultural and natural gems. The grand prize winner also will receive a Fujifilm FinePix digital camera.

Five categories winners — one from each of the contest’s photo categories — will receive a Fujifilm FinePix digital camera. All winners will also receive an honorary one-year membership at the $100-level to the Rainforest Alliance.

“Fujifilm has a strong corporate commitment to sustainability, preserving green space and educating employees and the public on the importance of conservation and preservation,” said Ray Hosoda, president of FUJIFILM Holdings America Corporation. Sponsoring this photo contest only enhances this commitment, and at the same time reinforces our contributions to preserving the culture of photography. We support the Rainforest Alliance and its efforts and encourage other businesses to do the same.”

* People & Planet (images that celebrate communities and culture, or that depict children and/or adults conserving natural resources, including water, flora and fauna, or engaging on environmental education)

* Macro Imagery (close-up or macro images that reveal the splendour of the natural world)

The photographs will be judged on three criteria: visual appeal and composition, portrayal of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission, and originality and creativity. Rainforest Alliance staff members will select up to five finalists in each category, post them on its website (www.rainforest-alliance.org) and invite the public to vote on category winners. Separately, world-renowned wildlife and nature photographer Art Wolfe will select the grand prize-winning photo from the group of finalists.

All photos must be submitted to http://www.flickr.com/groups/rainforest-alliance-photo-contest/ by October 14, 2011. Winners will be contacted via their FlickrMail accounts by December 7, 2011. All photos entered in the contest are considered donations to the Rainforest Alliance to be used in the organization’s publications and on website.